Pirates vs. Marlins prediction and odds for Thursday, June 22

The Pirates are sliding. Losers of nine straight and quickly fading out of a competitive National League Central.

After getting swept by two divisional foes three times in a row, the Cubs twice and the Brewers, the Pirates will head to Miami in hopes of getting back on track. The team will start Mitch Keller, the team's best pitcher this season in hopes of getting a win against left hander Braxton Garrett.

Here are the odds for Thursday's matchup:

Pirates vs. Marlins odds, run line and total

Pirates vs. Marlins prediction and pick

The Pirates have slumped big time, but at least the team can hit lefties, top 10 in the big leagues in OPS against southpaws. The team will face Garrett on Thursday and this should be a favorable matchup for the Pirates considering Garrett allows a ton of contact. Opponents have hit .330 on batted balls in play against Garrett, but he has stranded over 76% of batters on base.

Garrett's xERA is nearly a run higher than his actual ERA at 4.52 vs. 3.88 and allows a ton of hard contact (17% home run to fly ball rate) and I believe the Pirates offense can get on track on Thursday.

Further, Keller's increased strikeout rate has me confidence he can keep down the Marlins offense. He is punching out nearly 11 batters per nine innings and has been stellar this season with a 3.62 ERA with an xERA of 3.44.

Nobody trusts the Pirates amidst the losing streak, but this matchup sets up well for the Buccos to snap its skid.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.